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The Chicago Tribune has heard Bears contract-year DE Akiem Hicks is seeking $10 million annually in extension talks.

Hicks outplayed the two-year, $10 million deal he signed last offseason, setting a career high in sacks (7) and standing up stoutly against the run. Turning 28 in November, Hicks would land or at least approach $10 million annually on the open market if the Bears are unwilling to meet his asking price. Jul 26 - 8:43 PM

The Chicago Tribune's Dan Wiederer writes Bears DE Akiem Hicks "seems like a prime candidate for an early extension."

Signed to a two-year, $10-million deal before last season, Hicks was a monster his first year in Chicago, notching seven sacks and standing strong against the run. Now entering his contract year, the Bears may look to get a long-term deal done before Hicks is able to up his value again with another strong season. With a solid front seven and improved secondary, the Bears should take a step forward on defense this season. Jul 17 - 10:22 AM

Rich Campell of the Chicago Tribune said Bears DE Akiem Hicks has "stood out" during the first three days of training camp.

Hicks has had no trouble getting to quarterback Jay Cutler and also prevented a big play from Jeremy Langford with an impressive tackle at Saturday's session. Through three practices, Hicks has looked surprisingly nimble for a player who stands at 6'5/336. Coming off a breakout year for the Patriots in 2015, Hicks could prove to be one of the offseason's most underrated signings. Sun, Jul 31, 2016 10:10:00 AM

Bears signed DE Akiem Hicks to a two-year, $10 million contract with $5 million fully guaranteed.

He had a visit scheduled with the Lions, but never left the Windy City. Hicks, 26, was acquired by New England via trade from New Orleans last October and earned Pro Football Focus' No. 14 defensive tackle grade among 70 qualifiers, logging 23 tackles and three sacks. At 6-foot-5, 318, Hicks will give the Bears another big-bodied presence alongside NT Eddie Goldman (6'4/336) to shield new ILBs Danny Trevathan and Jerrell Freeman from would-be blockers. Sun, Mar 13, 2016 10:14:00 PM

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The Chicago Tribune's Dan Wiederer writes Bears DE Akiem Hicks "seems like a prime candidate for an early extension."

Signed to a two-year, $10-million deal before last season, Hicks was a monster his first year in Chicago, notching seven sacks and standing strong against the run. Now entering his contract year, the Bears may look to get a long-term deal done before Hicks is able to up his value again with another strong season. With a solid front seven and improved secondary, the Bears should take a step forward on defense this season.

Rich Campell of the Chicago Tribune said Bears DE Akiem Hicks has "stood out" during the first three days of training camp.

Hicks has had no trouble getting to quarterback Jay Cutler and also prevented a big play from Jeremy Langford with an impressive tackle at Saturday's session. Through three practices, Hicks has looked surprisingly nimble for a player who stands at 6'5/336. Coming off a breakout year for the Patriots in 2015, Hicks could prove to be one of the offseason's most underrated signings.

Bears signed DE Akiem Hicks to a two-year, $10 million contract with $5 million fully guaranteed.

He had a visit scheduled with the Lions, but never left the Windy City. Hicks, 26, was acquired by New England via trade from New Orleans last October and earned Pro Football Focus' No. 14 defensive tackle grade among 70 qualifiers, logging 23 tackles and three sacks. At 6-foot-5, 318, Hicks will give the Bears another big-bodied presence alongside NT Eddie Goldman (6'4/336) to shield new ILBs Danny Trevathan and Jerrell Freeman from would-be blockers.

That's assuming he leaves Chicago without a contract. Hicks is meeting with the Bears Friday and is expected to take a physical on Saturday. Hicks was a solid rotation player in New England last year but so far the Patriots haven't made much of an effort to re-sign him.

Bears GM Ryan Pace was in the Saints' organization when New Orleans drafted Hicks in the third round out of Regina (Canada) in 2012. Hicks was a high-impact player after the Patriots acquired him via trade from the Saints last year. He would play five-technique defensive end in Chicago, upgrading on Jarvis Jenkins.

That meeting could happen as early as Thursday. ESPN Boston's Mike Reiss predicted the Bears would make a play for Hicks, who knows GM Ryan Pace from their time together in New Orleans. Hicks earned PFF's 14th-highest DT grade out of 70 qualifiers last year while rotating with Malcolm Brown and Alan Branch.

Defensive tackle is an area of need for the Bears and Hicks knows GM Ryan Pace from their time together in New Orleans from 2012-14. The Patriots will do their best to keep Hicks, though he might be out of the team's price range. For what it's worth, coach Bill Belichick told Hicks to keep at least "something" in his locker when he was cleaning it out at the end of the season.

The Patriots are not expected to use the franchise tag this offseason.

The Pats franchised Stephen Gostkowski last offseason but none of their free agents are worthy of being tagged this time around. Mike Reiss of ESPN Boston views Akiem Hicks as New England's top free agent. The projected number for defensive tackles under the franchise tag is $13.7 million, which is far too steep a price for a role player like Hicks, who logged only 484 snaps in 2015.

New England acquired Hicks from the Saints back in September in exchange for blocking TE Michael Hoomanawanui, and Hicks ended up being a key rotational lineman. Following his acquisition ahead of Week 5, Hicks graded out as PFF's No. 14 defensive tackle, excelling against the run and as a pass rusher. At 6'5/324 and just turning 26, Hicks could be looking at a nice pay day.

A starter the last three seasons, Hicks had been losing heavy rotational snaps this year. Still, it's a better than expected return for a journeyman tight end. Hicks will give the Patriots a two-down option in multiple sets.

Hicks reported to camp at 325 pounds after playing at 345 last season. Hicks recorded just two sacks after a breakout five-sack campaign in 2013. The lost weight should help Hicks find the quarterback more consistently.

The New Orleans Times-Picayune expects a "monster" season out of Saints third-year DE Akiem Hicks.

The Saints are expecting the same thing out of Hicks. He started all 16 games at left end opposite RE Cameron Jordan last season and notched 56 tackles and 4.5 sacks. Hicks is strong both against the run and as a pass rusher. He stands in at a towering 6-foot-5 and 324 pounds with vine-like 35 1/8-inch arms.

Hicks started all 16 games at left end last year, posting 56 tackles and 4.5 sacks while holding up strong against the run. Now gaining more polish as he enters his third NFL season, the Saints are expecting even more. Rob Ryan's defense is dripping with talent.

Second-year Saints DL Akiem Hicks is expected to take Kenyon Coleman's (pectoral) place at left end.

Hicks had been rotating between end and nose tackle, but will likely now stick exclusively at end. According to the New Orleans Times-Picayune, Hicks has been "flourishing" in camp. Hicks played 383 snaps as a rookie, grading out positively in Pro Football Focus' ratings. Third-round rookie John Jenkins is expected to back up Brodrick Bunkley at the nose.

Some receivers play through broken fingers, while others like Wheaton's ex-Steelers teammate Sammie Coates can't. It's unclear how much time Wheaton will miss. He already missed two weeks of camp after an appendectomy.